Screams of a Silent Soul

Chapter 2

The next morning found Tori and Oliver asleep on the couch. They had talked late into the night about Tori's dad. Oliver came to realize why she came to him.. There was nowhere else to go; her mom died when she was young and her dad's relatives weren't of much help.
"They're all drunkards and crack heads back in Detroit." She said, eating popcorn while they watched a movie. "They'd be absolutely no help to me, only more trouble. And besides, I love you more.."She added with a sly grin.
Oliver woke up first, confused at first as to why Tori was cuddled up against him, then he remembered the previous night's events. After a few moments of watching Tori sleep he realized what day it was.. His "new staff orientation" back at Hogwarts. He couldn't believe he had forgotten, and now he was upset he even remembered. All he wanted to do was spend time with Tori, right there, in his apartment.
He got off the couch, careful not to wake her up, and started to make breakfast. As he was getting a bowl out of the cabinet the telephone rang. He ran to the receiver to get it before it woke up Tori's sleeping form, but she already stirred on the couch.
"Hello?" he said, wondering who would call at 2 in the afternoon; all his friends knew he was supposed to be still sleep and his parents weren't talking to him.
"Hey Oliver, its Ron. You won't believe what's going on!"
"Hey Ron. What is it?" he said, figuring that if Ron thought it was important enough to call long distance, it had to be pretty crucial.
"No, no, no. You have to guess!" Oliver could just see Ron smiling that familiar Weasley smile. He rolled his eyes and decided to play along.
"All right Weasley.. Have you got a new broom?" he guessed.
"No, this is more important. Why else would I call so early?"
"Dyed your hair?"
"HEY! There's nothing wrong with my hair the way it is. Bloody prat. Guess again."
"I don't know Ron! Just tell me.I have company!" he said, giving a sidelong glance at Tori who was cooking his eggs and bacon.
"Ooh, had a little one-night stand, eh?" Weasley said, chuckling at the far-fetched comment.
"Ha ha ha, very funny Ron. No, Tori's here to visit. Now what is it you called for?"
"Oh yes, I thought you'd like to know that your sister, Carolyn ***A/N: another add-in borrowed from Marilyn Dumbledore, read her fic "Love or Trouble" and you'll understand***, is coming to see you. Have a great holiday, tell Tori I said rock on, and see you in a few months."
Oliver dropped the phone and could barely hear the other end disconnect. Of all things, Carolyn, his over-protective little sister (as if that makes any sense) was coming to see him.
"Oliver what's wrong? Who was that?" Tori said.
"My.sister.is coming.. This isn't good." Even Tori knew what this could mean. She frantically looked at Oliver, searching his eyes for more information.
"Why is she coming? When?" Tori managed to say, but at that exact moment the doorbell rang.
The two exchanged terrified looks then glanced at the door. Carolyn, in her impatience, was banging on the door. The eggs were burning. Tori took refuge in Oliver's bedroom. Then, deciding that that wouldn't look any better went into the bathroom.
From the shower Tori couldn't hear much so she moved to the door try to hear more.
"Carolyn, its really nice to see you.but why didn't you call?" Oliver said, kicking Tori's shoes out of sight.
"Oh, well, mom and dad called and said that you were being a jerk as usual, and asked me to come rationalize with you. Oliver, honestly, why do you insist on dating this girl? She's.she's.a menace!" Carolyn said, sounding exactly like her mom.
"Carolyn shut up! If you're going to act just like mom, then you can leave too."
"Oh, oh, oh! So this is how you try family now, eh? I thought you like to know that you have an orientation today and that if you'd like to make it you'd better leave within the hour. Pack your things and.whose suitcase is this?" Carolyn said, lifting up the tattered suitcase. Almost immediately she realized who it was, and looked up at Oliver with a wicked smirk spread across her fair face. "Ooh Oliver Wood! You're going to be in so much trouble!! Just WAIT until I tell mom!"
"Carolyn stop it! You're acting like you're 10 years old! It's ridiculous. If you just hear me out you'll understand why she's here."
Tori backed away from the door, fresh tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She couldn't go back to England, and she didn't want Oliver being in trouble on account of her. Unable to suppress her sobs, she was heard by Oliver and Carolyn. Seconds later he was in the door and comforting her. Carolyn peeked over his shoulder and sneered at Tori.
"You! Why are you here? You'd better have a good reason because from the way it looks-"
Oliver spun on Carolyn. "You just keep your mouth shut Carolyn. I've had enough of you! She has all the reason to be here, and she's more welcome than you are at the moment. She doesn't have to explain to you anything!" he said, but Tori stopped him.
"I need to tell both of you what happened. Please Carolyn, listen to me for just a moment. And if you still hate me, I'll leave." The tone of her voice was so sincere and pleading that even Carolyn's cold heart towards her gave her the smallest bit of compassion.
The three sat on the couch, Oliver holding Tori's trembling hand and Carolyn on her other side.
"My father was mad at me for coming back from school. He's always wanted me to just stay there over the summer. Anyway, he was yelling at me, telling me that since I'm done at Hogwarts that he wanted me out of his house. That's when he picked up a note from Oliver to me.. He read it.. And the yelling got even worse. He threw things at m-me, and h-h-hit me." Tori's voice broke and tears streaked down her face. Carolyn's cheeks were no drier than Tori's.
"Tori, I'm so sorry. I feel so stupid. Please, forgive me?"
"Ok. I forgive you. But what were you saying about an orientation?"
At the mere reminder Oliver moaned. "Do you think I can take her with me?" he said.
"I'm sure Dumbledore would understand, you can both stay in Hogsmeade; it'll only be a weekend. But you'd better go or you'll lose your job before you get there. You're going to have to apparate as close to Hogwarts as you can get, then fly the rest of the way. So hurry up!" Carolyn said. She lost no time in getting back to her normal, controlling set of mind.
Tori grabbed Oliver's sweater from his room right before they were about to leave, and felt something in the pocket. Curious, as usual, she pulled out a small velvety box. It was black, and had gold embossed letters on the front that said "Rupert's".
She thought to herself, "Oh Lord, please let it be something else.anything else.."
She opened the little black box and nearly dropped it. Nestled inside an ivory silk lining was a ring, a diamond ring. It was the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen. In fact, it was the exact ring she picked out on ADiamondIsForever.com. Realization fell over Tori like a wave. She wondered how long he planned on carrying it around, when he was going to ask her, if it was she he was going to ask. SO many questions filled her mind that she lost track of time. Oliver came running down the hall but she didn't hear him. He came in the door to see her with the ring on her finger. She looked up.
"Yes." She said.